2006 Winners
 Dr. Leslie Wilson:
College of Business Administration; Management
Dr. Leslie Wilson received this award in honor of her commitment to international economic development in the State of Iowa. Dr. Wilson has played a crucial role in cultivating a relationship between the Iowa Department of Economic Development and the College of Business Administration. UNI and IDED’s relationship has allowed for the expansion of international economic development opportunities for the State, while simultaneously enriching the international aspects of the business curriculum at UNI. Students have gained invaluable international experiences and Iowa businesses are benefiting from support that they need to navigate the global economy.
 Dr. Michele Yehieli:
College of Education; Health, Physical Education & Leisure Services
Dr. Yehieli’s work in the fields of public health, health disparities and human rights promotion made her an exemplary model of community engagement at UNI. She has been a dedicated guardian for the unique needs of minorities, refugees and other diverse populations in the state of Iowa. Dr. Yehieli currently serves as the Chair of the Black Hawk County Board of Health, an organization to which she has devoted ten years of expertise and technical consulting.
Most importantly, Dr. Yehieli has incorporated her engagement activities into her academic instruction and scholarship. She has been instrumental in the development and leadership of UNI’s Global Health Corps and the Iowa EXPORT Center of Excellence on Health Disparities. Her research through these two organizations has had an immediate and applied affect on public health policy and programming in this area. In addition, Dr. Yehieli has provided numerous field learning and training experiences for her students through outreach and research with public health agencies in Black Hawk County and around the state.
 Dr. Gretta Berghammer:
College of Humanities and Fine Arts; Theatre
Dr. Berghammer’s work in the area of theatrical production exemplifies a successful merger of academic ingenuity with community needs. She has provided area elementary and junior high students with the opportunity to participate in theatre-based instructional activity here at UNI. Furthermore, she pairs her University students with these area youths in a number of creative drama activities. Dr. Berghammer also uses theatrical productions as a vehicle to promote cultural awareness, as was evident in last year’s production of The Music Lesson, which focused on the difficulties encountered by a young Bosnian immigrant couple. In short, by incorporating her passion for theatre into her work at UNI, Dr. Berghammer has given countless students an opportunity that they would not have otherwise had.
 Dr. Alan Czarnetzki:
College of Natural Sciences; Earth Science
Dr. Czarnetski received this award for his initiation and coordination of educational service activities relating to weather and meteorology. He received federal funding to develop the STORM Project at UNI, which seeks to initiate and coordinate education, research, and service activities relating to weather models and information. The STORM Project benefits groups in the areas of agriculture, industry, and education, and utilizes UNI students to facilitate this program. Furthermore, Dr. Czarnetski serves as the President of the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Club, and faculty advisor of the Circle K Kiwanis Club here at UNI, leading numerous service projects with both.
 Dr. Richard Allen Hays:
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Political Science / Public Policy Program
Dr. Hays was given this award in recognition of his extensive community involvement, but specifically his work with the Family and Children’s Council of Black Hawk County. Dr. Hays’ linking of research, teaching, and community service has been an integral part of his career since he came to UNI in 1979. Although he is a widely cited author in the field of housing, he is currently devoted to his work with the Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC), which links UNI resources with the needs of disadvantaged neighborhoods in East Waterloo. Additionally, students taking Dr. Hays’ Citizen Participation and Civic Engagement course provide staffing support to the Center to satisfy the course’s service learning component.
|
